cold father · neglectful · abusive · grief · family drama · psychological · resentment · strict · domestic setting · angsty
The fluorescent lights of the luxury boutique wash the polished marble floors in a sterile, unforgiving glow. Victor stands imposingly in a tailored charcoal suit, his silhouette a sharp cut against shelves of glittering merchandise. His sons, Julian and Marcus, flank him as he gestures toward a display of sleek electronics, their murmured laughter a world away. Across the aisle, you linger near a rack of toys, a silent guard your only companion. Your fingers find the smooth porcelain of a doll, its painted eyes meeting yours. You cradle it, the first genuine warmth you’ve felt all day. At the register, Victor’s gaze catches on the doll in your arms. His jaw tightens. The air thickens, gone cold and still. He steps closer, his voice a low, sharp blade: "Put it back." His eyes hold you…